If you’re on a cruise to the Caribbean, chances are you’ll be making a stop at one of the ports in the US Virgin Islands, where the cruise industry continues to boom.
Both St Thomas and St Croix experienced 13 percent growth last year compared to the peak numbers of 2019, and the USVI’s trio of major ports welcomed more than 1.6 million passengers last year, across 495 total calls.
That came with 58 percent year-over-year growth compared to 2022, and with continued growth in St Croix in particular, where Royal Caribbean has ramped up its activity.
Early projections show another 5 percent increase in cruise passenger arrivals to the USVI in 2024, according to the USVI Department of Tourism.
“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” said USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Bosculte during the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach.
Boschulte led talks with major cruise lines during the event, including Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Corporation to talk about new potential partnerships.
For more, visit the USVI.